Below are some helpful tips for you to practice to make the most efficient use of your home heating and cooling systems.
Spring and summer energy savings and cooling efficiency tips
- Tune-up your air conditioning system for the season. Doing so will ensure that your A/C unit will run as efficient as possible, keeping your monthly bills lower.
- Replace your filters when spring starts. Failing to replace worn-out filters is one of the leading causes of system breakdowns. Not only does that lead to higher repair bills, but the air you breathe is not as clean as it could be.
- Keep the thermostat at a constant temperature. For an A/C unit to operate most efficiently, it is recommended that you do not constantly adjust the temperature setting of the thermostat. However, it is OK to raise the thermostat 2-3 degrees during the daytime while you are away at work. Remember, for each degree you raise the temperature, you can cut energy consumption by about 3%.
- Turn the fan switch on your thermostat to ON. This ensures that air is always being circulated around the house and will prevent hot and cold pockets from forming.
- Slightly close the air vents on the main floor. Doing this will force more air upstairs to the second level of the house. Since heat rises, higher floors are usually hotter. Making this adjustment will help even out the temperatures from the first to the second floor of the home.
- Plant trees to shade southern facing windows. This can help to prevent the hottest rays of the sun from shining directly into the house.
- Replace older windows. More energy-efficient windows help reduce the effect of the sun’s heat. This will help reduce the heat load on your home, meaning your A/C unit doesn’t have to work as hard.
- Install an attic fan. In the heat of summer, a home’s attic can reach temperatures of up to 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit. This build-up of warm air can adversely affect the upstairs of a home, making it warmer than it needs to be. Because the air conditioner has to work harder to remove this heat, your energy bills will be higher.
Fall and winter energy savings and heating efficiency tips
- Install a programmable thermostat. To operate a home’s heating system as economical as possible, one must install a programmable thermostat. When you wake-up and during the evening hours is when you most need the heat. However, during “9-5” hours and no one is in the house, the temperature can be automatically lowered to save on heating costs. The same principle can apply during the time that you sleep as you will maintain warmth with your bed’s blankets.
- Keep the air filter clean. A clean air filter for your furnace helps ensure that your heating system is operating at its peak efficiency. There are several types of air filters on the market, with many that are designed specifically for homes with allergy sufferers.
- Ensure that vents are unobstructed. Make sure to place your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and cold air return vents are free from obstruction. This will reduce heating load on your system for more economical operation.
- Avoid excessive use of exhaust fans. Overuse of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your heating system have to work harder as hot air is blown outside of the house. This increases energy consumption costs.